The body of a pedestrian struck by a NJ Transit train lies beneath a sheet as Red Bank Police officers stand by. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
UPDATE: The victim in this incident was identified by officials on October 15, 2024 as Joseph Rego, 52, of an unknown address.
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a southbound New Jersey Transit train Tuesday afternoon at the Monmouth Street railroad crossing, police said.
The scene of a pedestrian strike at the Monmouth Street railroad crossing Wednesday. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
An alert sent out by NJ Transit said North Jersey Coast Line rail service is suspended in both directions between Red Bank and Long Branch due to a pedestrian strike near Red Bank. In a later statement, the agency said the incident occurred at about 2 pm.
Red Bank Police Captain Mike Frazee confirmed at the scene that a pedestrian had been killed by the southbound train. A NJ Transit spokesman said in a statement the victim was an adult male.
The incident occurred at the same spot at which a pedestrian was killed crossing the tracks just three and a half weeks ago.
Video of that Sept. 14 incident obtained by redbankgreen shows the victim walking around the lowered railroad crossing gates directly into the path of the oncoming train.
At the scene Wednesday, a visibly distraught witness said he saw the pedestrian go around the lowered gates at Monmouth Street despite the blaring horn from the train.
The victim, he said, “just kept walking. I saw the whole thing and it’s something I never want to see again.”
The investigation into the incident is being let by the NJ Transit Police.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
